Maori King welcomes Clark to UN

Maori King Tuheitia Paki led a delegation of Maori leaders to a powhiri that welcomed Helen Clark to the United Nations today.

The former prime minister was sworn in yesterday as head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), one of the most senior positions in the world body.

She said in her speech at the powhiri that her top priority would be sharpening the UNDP's focus on poverty reduction.

"A new deal for the world economy and a new deal for the environment should also be capable of tackling poverty, including tackling energy poverty and providing a low carbon footprint route to development," she said.

"I also want to communicate more widely the work of the UNDP -- we have much to our credit and the story must be told."

Miss Clark said she had been meeting her headquarters staff and would be travelling out of New York to visit the UNDP's offices in other parts of the world.

The delegation of Maori leaders at the powhiri included Rangatira Tumu Te Heuheu and the former minister of Maori affairs, Parekura Horomia.

NZPA